News Roundup 30 April 2023
Apr 30, 2023 • 4 min Read
US calls out China: ‘Desist from provocative, unsafe conduct’ in West Philippine Sea | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The United States said on Sunday that it stands with the Philippines following reports of alleged harassment and intimidation of Beijing coast guards to the country’s patrol vessel in the West Philippine Sea.
“The United States stands with The Philippines in the face of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Coast Guard’s continued infringement upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea,” the US said in a press statement.
“Imagery and video recently published in the media is a stark reminder of PRC harassment and intimidation of Philippine vessels as they undertake routine patrols within their exclusive economic zone. We call upon Beijing to desist from its provocative and unsafe conduct. The United States continues to track and monitor these interactions closely,” it added.
On April 28, the country and China blamed each other for the near-collision of two of their coast guard ships near the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
According to reports, Manila said a China Coast Guard ship used “dangerous maneuvers” to block the 44-meter BRP Malapascua of the Philippine Coast Guard sailing toward Ayungin.
The US also cited its mutual defense commitments to the country under the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
“The United States stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules-based international maritime order and reaffirms that an armed attack in the Pacific, which includes the South China Sea, on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft, including those of the Coast Guard, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” the US said.
Full Story at: US calls out China: ‘Desist from provocative, unsafe conduct’ in West Philippine Sea | Global News (inquirer.net)
Gunman linked to death of SAF 44 killed during gov’t ops in Maguindanao | INQUIRER.NET – CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – One of the gunmen involved in the killing of 44 elite police officers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015 was killed during law enforcement operations in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, the Army confirmed on Sunday.
Lt. Colonel Michael Glenn Manansala, 6th Infantry Battalion commander, said a team of police and Army operatives were to serve a warrant of arrest against Bansir Samaon when the latter resisted and, using his caliber .45 pistol, opened fire on government forces about noon on Friday.
Samaon, also known as “Malang” and “Bungo,” was a member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), an outlawed group that pledge allegiance to ISIS.
“He was a bomb courier of the BIFF and one of the gunmen linked to the killing of Police Special Action Force in 2015,” Manansala said.
Full Story at: Gunman linked to death of SAF 44 killed during gov’t ops in Maguindanao | Inquirer News
Coast Guard conducts search, rescue ops after Tubbataha sinking | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines (Updated, 4:40 p.m.) — The Philippine Coast Guard said it is currently conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations for four missing individuals in waters off Tubbataha, Palawan after a dive yacht sank in the waters early Sunday morning.
Motor yacht “Dream Keeper” left San Remegio, Cebu at 4 p.m. on April 27 and arrived at Tubbataha reef around 10 p.m. on Saturday. The vessel was carrying 32 passengers, 15 of them were crew members with 12 passengers and guests as well as five dive masters on board.
The PCG said its command center received a report about the sinking from its Coast Guard District Palawan at 6:49 a.m. and it immediately sent BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) to kickstart SAR operations.
“As of this report, the joint SAR team from different agencies, units, and organizations has rescued 28 people, while four remain missing,” the PCG said in a statement at 9:58 a.m.
Among those helping out with the search team are the Coast Guard Sub-Station Tubbataha and other dive boats in the area.
Full Story at: Coast Guard conducts search, rescue ops after Tubbataha sinking | Philstar.com
DMW working with other agencies for needs of students evacuating Sudan | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — As the Department of Migrant Workers assists over 340 Filipinos on their way to Cairo in Egypt, the department is also working with other agencies back home to help the students who evacuated Sudan.
The DMW said it is collaborating with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, along with the Department of Foreign Affairs to help out with the overall reintegration and assistance programs for displaced overseas Filipino workers and other Filipinos who left Sudan, such as the students, due to the clashes.
“The Islamic students requested for help. Since their studies were affected, they asked if they can be given a chance to continue their studies, while the others want to have access to livelihood and employment opportunities so we will work that out with the concerned agencies,” Migrant Workers Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople said in a virtual press briefing on Sunday.
Full Story at: DMW working with other agencies for needs of students evacuating Sudan | Philstar.com
